Poland is currently embroiled in a heated debate over potential changes to its strict abortion laws, which are among the most stringent in Europe. The proposed amendments aim to relax the near-total ban on abortions, allowing terminations up to the 12th week of pregnancy.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk's party has put forward a plan to modify the existing law, but faces opposition within his coalition government. The parliament is considering multiple bills, including one that would legalize abortion in cases of foetal abnormalities detected within the first 12 weeks.
The issue has sparked division within the government, with President Andrzej Duda, a conservative aligned with the previous administration, likely to veto any relaxation of the law. Tusk's decision to revisit the abortion debate stems from public outcry over the previous government's restrictive policies.
Tusk's proposal aligns with the laws in most European Union countries, permitting abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy and in cases where the mother's life is at risk thereafter. While his left-wing ally supports this plan, a center-right party in the coalition advocates for reverting to pre-2020 laws, which allowed abortion only in cases of rape or incest, maternal health risks, or foetal abnormalities.
The contentious issue has exposed fractures within Tusk's coalition, which was elected on promises of reform. The previous government's attempt to tighten abortion laws in 2020 triggered widespread protests and international condemnation, ultimately contributing to their electoral defeat.
Despite the challenges ahead, Tusk remains committed to fulfilling his campaign pledges and liberalizing reproductive rights in Poland. The government's efforts to reverse previous policies have garnered public support, but the abortion debate continues to divide lawmakers and the public.
As the debate unfolds in parliament, the possibility of a referendum on abortion laws looms, potentially prolonging the political saga. Tusk faces an uphill battle, with President Duda likely to block any legislative changes. However, Tusk aims to make abortion rights a focal point in the upcoming presidential election, setting the stage for a protracted struggle over reproductive rights in Poland.
